Free business resources, reviews, and advice for photographers and artists.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Questions & Answers!

There's a little search box in the top left hand corner of this blog where you can type in any keyword related to your question and probably find multiple posts that cover the issue. However, if you tried and didn't find any answers on this blog, please leave your burning questions in the comments link below and we'll do our best to give you answers! If we find that there are many similar questions, we may create an entire post around that question! Thanks again! Also, if you have an article or topic that you'd like to write about as a guest blogger, feel free to check out the info on How to Submit An Article to PhotoLovecat.com.

These are great! Looks like we'll definitely do a post on workflow in the future! There's already a pretty lengthy post about what to blog in order to attract clients. Here's the link...http://photolovecat.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-blog-making-most-of-your-blog.html

I am with Chelo. I want to have a definitive style and brand throughout every part of the client's experience, from the first time we meet and the general information I give them, to the last time they recieve a product from me after the wedding.

I don't have the kind of business that would justify something like a marketing marketing company either, but I do want to stand out! A post about that woul be awesome.

ps- you shot my friend Kattie Hammond's (now Woods) wedding and I just had to say that her photographs turned out beautifully!

Hi Anne! My burning question is about your portfolio - I LOVE the music player at the bottom; it's exactly what I've been searching for for my own site. (I really dislike portfolios with music that you can't turn off/turn down/switch). Can you let us know where that is/how we can get it? Or who designed your site, so we can hire them? :)

Congratulations, Anne!I was just watching Photoshopuser tv - www.photoshopusertv.com -March 10 episode #124 - and was pleased to hear Dave Cross give you and Photo Lovecat a plug!Thanks for giving so generously of your time and energy.

Hi Anne,I'm just starting to charge for my work and am trying to come up with packages for clients. (And pricing...ugh.)

I'm concerned about providing the images on a cd. I don't recall photographers giving away or even selling negatives in the old days. Do all clients expect to own all images on a CD? Doesn't that cut into the photographer's profits v/v providing the prints themselves?

Also, if the files are unedited, then they can print them out and your work looks shoddy. I don't know how to meet this need and make money and not feel that I'm giving away the farm.

Argh, I just posted a comment somewhere else asking if you were accepting topic ideas,and then saw the link to do just that! Doh!

Okay, I would love to hear more about starting up relationships with vendors. Everyone recommends doing so, but what exactly do you do? How do you approach them, especially if you are new and don't have a lot of samples to give out? I feel like wedding planners and related vendors must have photographers bugging them all the time. How do you differentiate yourself and come across as a useful resource for them and not a nuisance?

I can't believe I didn't know about your blog until now! You have so many helpful tips :) I have been running my pictures and other info on my blog page for the past few months and am looking to create an actual website. I think something more formal will really help boost my business. Do you have any suggestions of who I could go through to help get this set up? I have checked and found that the domain name I want to use is available, but am not sure who to go through to actually get this set up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I would love to hear about the start to finish process of your inquiries. What types of questions people ask you, how much info you feel is appropriate to have on your site vs. what you like to talk to them about in person, at what point you show them your price list, how you pursue leads, when and how you follow up with leads. I know most of this will be covered in Mystic but I would still love to hear about it!

Hi Anne, I'm following advice found here on photolovecat and one of my New Years' resolutions is to get on the blogging train! I'm using wordpress.org and have a bludomain site. Although I have access to my cpanel, I don't see how to connect the blog to the site because I also wanted to make the blog the landing page as was suggested too, not the current splash page. So lost!

Jaylene, I'm going to get together with my husband (my in-house geek support for WordPress) and see if he can write up a tutorial for making the blog the front page on the site. He has done it before on Blu hosted sites, so I know it can be done!

Hi, I worked at newspapers for several years, and now shoot event and family photos. My contracts all contain a model release. I shot family photos for some friends with their babies (didn't get a signed contract, lesson now learned) There friends are now unsure about my use of their photos in self-promotion. I want to use their photos on my website and in ads that I place for my photo business in trade publications. If they protest, do I have to remove their photos since I do not have a model release from them. I know you aren't a lawyer, but I was just curious if you had a general idea or could point me to another web resource.... thanks!

Hi Michelle! Twitter offers a feature where you can put a box (widget) on your blog - it is available at http://twitter.com/widgets - they provide code that you can copy and paste into your site. You can also use the RSS feed for a more stylized version that matches your blog, depending on what blog software you use. WordPress has several plugins that make doing this a breeze!

Hi Anne,I recently lost a wedding customer because I didn't have any affordable albums to offer them. Will you recommend your favorite low cost wedding album solution?Also, what specific albums do you give away to your cake maker and other vendor/friends? Still looking for pleasing low cost alternatives.Thanks so much,MarkMarkLovettPhotography.com

I just found this site and I love it! The best explanation of what to do to register a business that I have ever seen (fortunately for me I am in the same state, Anne.) I am thinking about transitioning from being solely an "on location" portrait photographer (no weddings for me) to having a small studio to complement this. I was wondering if anyone could write an entry about starting up their studio -- how did you know you were ready? What has hindsight told you about things you should have done? Thanks so much!

My burning question is in person ordering vs. online ordering and how to really do in person ordering successfully. Another part to that question is my biggest frustration. Clients who wait months before ordering. How to handle that.

I see a lot of marketing for wedding photographers, but what about portrait shooters? I own a small portrait business specializing in children, family, and senior portraits. The packages tend to be small but flexible that caters to folks minding the family budget. Any marketing advise for this kind of work?

Hi! I have been really interested in your most recent posting about what clients REALLY order in terms of posed pictures. Here is a related question -- I am explicit with my clients about my "photojournalistic" style when we first meet. All of my clients always say that that is what they want. However, they then give me a list of posed post-ceremony shots that easily taken an hour or more and rarely leave a lot of time for a more artistic shoot with the bride and groom. How do you guys recommend negotiating that? Do you accept everything they ask for? Is there a gentle way to guide them to let them know that if, indeed, you do all of these pictures, there will not be a lot of room for other more artistic shots? THANKS!

I was just wondering if you have any suggestions for unique framing companys that have more of a natural/beachy selection. I know of Kendall Hartcraft, but want to provide something a little more boutique and a little less fussy traditional. Thanks!

I am so glad to have found you. Where have you been all my life. J/KI am a photographer located in Daytona Beach Fl. I am wanting to know how to break into Destination weddings. Do, you feel doing wedding shows in metro areas work best. What is the best way to get your name out there in different states?

There seem to be a lot of photographers who offer online classes or seminars for the semi-professionals who want to kick their photography up a notch. I'd love a roundup on the goods ones. Basically, I'm talking about classes for people who know *something* about photography (that is, don't use their cameras on auto, know how to do some basic color correcting and lightening in photoshop) but want to have better control over the process.

What are your thoughts about Advertising in the mall? I would have a wall display for the months of Oct. Nov and Dec. The wall display would have some of my work and contact info. Do you think that is a good form of advertising if I am not going to be there to speak to potential clients. It would kinda just be like having a billboard in the mall. I just wonder if people would look at it for 2 min walk go on with their shopping and walk away. Or would they really take down my number and remember to call after they done shopping. Any advice?

I recently photographed a wedding in which a guest with a semi-pro camera followed along uninvited to the formals & portrait session with the bride & groom. She stood close behind (so close that I bumped into her several times, even though I had asked that she back up), and was shooting the images that I set up over my shoulder. It caused additional problems with the formals because the bridal party didn't know which camera to look at, despite my best efforts at instructing them to look my way. How can I politely tell a guest that I'd prefer if they didn't shoot formals alongside me? Is there a way to put this info in my contract without offending the client?

Any thoughts on which Nikon camera to buy (or wait for) to be able to mix still with video? I'm feeling major envy of those 5D Mark II users and their fusion pieces. Thank you Anne and Co for your expertise and time!

theres this music video thats in black and white and theres this girl and her boyfriend is not alive and she breaks this colorful heart and colorful dust goes everywere and her boyfreind come to life do you know the name of the song is?

I am a photographer trying to get my work seen and even published by either nature magazines or sports Magazines. I have been shooting pictures for a semi pro team and am looking to find someone to publish them for me. Joe of Bryan Photography

I am a new photographer looking to create my first portfolio to gain an apprenticeship or a gig as an assistant. In addition to an on line portfolio, how do I prepare a professional portfolio of prints when I sit down with a studio for an interview?

Hello~ I have read the past advice for WPPI. I've learned a lot just from that, but is there any other advice you could offer a first timer to the convention? Also, is there a way to get a better deal at the MGM Grand, or is it worth it to just stay at the NYNY and walk??? Thank you!

April - If you book with MGM directly you only have to pay a deposit which is refunded if you cancel. I always recommend booking in at the best rate you find and changing up if you can find something beter. I highly recommend checking out VRBO or Home Away for deals on condos in the MGM Signature. It's closer to the convention center and it's a LOT nicer (and smoke free!). The walk from NYNY isn't terrible but it's a good 30 minute walk.

Question - I really struggle with connecting with vendors after an event. And I want to excel at it in 2011!!! What is an appropriate approach of even just setting up that meeting?? Just to chat? Just swing by and surprise them?? What's the best approach??

Do you plan on reviewing the new Shootsac? The tote and shoot allows you to carry your camera too. I read your review of the kelly moore bags and you mentioned you loved the shootsac but wished it had a place for your camera. Would love for you to review this bag before we all buy it!!!!

I am new to the photography business side of life. I have been planning to charge $200 session fee to cover the time and talent. However, I keep coming across other photographers who initially charge a lesser session fee, and then use the rest as an investment or photo credit. I.e. total fee is 250. the $50 is for the fee, and $200 is a photo credit. I also came across one or two photographers who say they don't charge a fee, but a deposit of (i.e) $200 that will be applied to their print purchase. So, my question is, which option is better? AND as far as the ones go that don't charge a fee at all and offer it as a complete credit, how in the world can they afford to do that? Thank you so much in advance for your time and effort to create a great site.

I love all your resources and information for photographers out there. I work at a company that would love to offer you a free giveaway for your blog. Is there an email that I can get in touch with you at?

I love Photo LoveCat so thank you for taking the time being so helpful!!! I have two questions:ONE,Pricing!!!I think my pricing is scaring away people! I feel the price is right, all my clients wait for my specials or change their minds one they see the price tag :( SECOND, finding clients...I have a great word of mouth, but I to the point I need more then that!

Hi, hopefully someone can help me with my problem :) I have a Nikon FE manual camera. I used a film camera before (auto) and I know a little bit about photography. My problem is: I shoot 2 films with the camera but I have no pictures on the film. Why? I set up the camera on the correct ISO, I put the camera on the AUTO and I shoot pictures indoor and outdoor also. Can someone help please?Thank you !!!

Anne and company....I see you have copyright information on your blog and take it seriously. I have found someone who is using your blog posts as their own work and selling it with a workbook in a workshop. Please email me at spammingisillegal@hotmail.com so I can provide you with the information. This person has stolen the works of over 32 artists, written books, blogs and images. there is a collective of artists looking into this and inviting the authors to touch base with us as we find infringed work.